In southern India, during a religious festival at a temple, a firework explosion has left more than 150 people injured. The incident took place on Monday night when a nearby firework storage facility caught fire, according to police authorities cited by the Press Trust of India news agency.
Every year, fatal incidents related to the manufacture of fireworks occur in makeshift facilities lacking adequate safety measures. On this occasion, the explosion in southern India caused eight deaths and left eight people seriously injured. In 2018, a fire in a factory in New Delhi claimed the lives of 17 workers.
Fireworks are commonly used in India, especially during religious festivals and wedding celebrations. Despite their popularity, these incidents highlight the need to strengthen safety regulations in the manufacturing and handling of pyrotechnic materials.
The unfortunate event took place in Kasaragod, 580 kilometers northeast of Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala. The injured were transferred to several hospitals in the districts of Kasaragod, Kannur, and Mangaluru for medical attention.